“This continues to set a high standard for Merlot in Washington and everywhere else in the country.” – Paul Gregutt

The return of Long Shadows! A sequel we feel confident surpasses the previous, if you can believe it.

This time, we clock in at a much lower price on a similarly high-scoring, impeccably crafted wine from Long Shadows.

With a gang of scores from 94 to 96 points and a healthy discount dropping it to the best price anywhere by at least $10, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better example of Merlot in the country - or the world, for that matter. This was a standout when we tasted it, and one that kept being forced upon us by Agent Brut – his instant Agent Pick of course - who fell head over heels for it at first sip.

If you don’t know about Long Shadows, let us regale you with the lowdown on one of the best producers in Washington state. They do it like nobody else, and it starts by recruiting a gang of top winemakers from all over. A star-studded roster that includes celebrities like Philippe Melka and Randy Dunn, and foreign invaders like Michel Rolland (the creator of Pedestal) and Armin Diel. Every one of them puts their stamp of approval on a particular wine, and you simply cannot go wrong any which way.

Per Vinous “The point of this venture is for its multiple bottlings to offer accurate reflections of the individual participating winemakers, and under the direction of estate manager/winemaker Gilles Nicault, they have always been remarkably different from each other every year, not to mention consistently excellent.”

If you want your Merlot big, brawny, finessed, and finely tuned, this fits the bill. It boasts rich black plums and spiced blackberry jam, malted nougat, dark French roast torrefaction, and toasty exotic woods. All bound in a sturdy, muscular structure that begs for plenty of air upon popping the cork to reveal the layers. This gets better on day 2 or 3, and will hold in your cellar for quite some time.

You won’t regret having as many as you can stuff into your Locker, and with less than usual to spare, we urge you to make your move quickly. Game on!

96 Points – Paul Gregutt “This continues to set a high standard for Merlot in Washington and everywhere else in the country. Dark fruited, supple in the mouth, layered with blackberry, bitter chocolate, espresso and scented with toast and cured tobacco, it’s a wine that may be enjoyed immediately but should continue to evolve over the next 15 years.”

95 Points – Owen Bargreen “The 2020 Pedestal combines 84% Merlot with 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Petit Verdot. Stored for 22 months in nearly all new French oak, this Merlot opens with beautiful dark florals on the nose alongside Turkish coffee grounds, with shades of wild blackberry compote. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth mouthfeel and good sense of weight. Enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030.”

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “I loved the 2020 Pedestal Merlot, which makes the most of the vintage. Full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe plums, chocolate, spicy oak, and graphite define the aromatics, and it’s concentrated, has ripe, chalky tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. The blend is 84% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Malbec, raised in 75% new French oak.”